Obituary of Shirley O'Neill Abbati

Shirley (DeFuria) ONeill Abbati, age 71, of Stratford, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, July 4, 2007 after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born in Bridgeport, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Frasca) DeFuria and a graduate of Central High School. Over the last 34 years, she worked with the Financial Accounting Standards Board as a project manager and presently as the personnel manager of Financial Accounting Foundation of Norwalk. She was a devout parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Stratford where she taught 8th and 9th grade catechism for nine years. Shirley had a generous spirit and embraced life with great joy and optimism offering a smile, kind words, a funny story or a helping hand to anyone in need. She touched so many lives, spreading her caring nature and fun loving personality to all she met, being a mother to most and a friend to all. Shirley was known for her creative sewing masterpieces such as gowns, suits, Halloween costumes and life-size Barbie doll creations.

Besides her beloved parents, she was pre-deceased by two sisters, Louise Ceste of Bridgeport and Antoinette Maxim of Belleview, Florida.

Shirley leaves her devoted and caring husband, Joseph A. Abbati, Jr., her best friend and sister, Ann Torrillo of Shelton, her loving sons, Eugene ONeill and his wife, Chory of El Paso, TX and Kevin ONeill and his wife Eva of Terryville, two stepsons, Kenneth Abbati and Teresa Grinnell of Bridgeport and Keith Abbati and his wife Kris of Bridgeport. Shirley also leaves her special grandson, Eugene ONeill, granddaughter, Nichole Abbati great grandson, Geno ONeill and several favorite nieces and nephews, as well as many faithful and loving friends.

Friends are invited to meet directly in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.